Discussion

Cafe Koi becoming Convergence Cafe

As I strolled down 1st St SW to check out the progress on the new DeVille, I noticed that the windows on Cafe Koi were covered up.

It looks like they're doing a little rebranding of their own. There was a sign up saying that they'll be closed for the next while for renos and re-opening as Convergence Cafe. They'll be revamping the menu, but will keep some of the more popular items from the current menu.

CITS, are you and I the same person? I took the same stroll yesterday! Ended at Insomnia Cafe (opening soon in the Burns Building).

I don't like the name "convergence cafe." It sounds like either a self-help group, some sort of networking luncheon, or a Christian thing- maybe all three ("struggling Christian women entrepreneurs can meet like-minded folk at this Wednesday's CONVERGENCE CAFE at Centre Street Church!).

I am sad to see Koi go... I liked it. Makes me wonder who is behind the re-branding as I thought Koi had some decent things, and a cool logo, going for it...( but it always seemed to be copying Coup... among others)

Checked out the website http://www.convergencecafe.com I agree, the logo and name leaves alot to be desired... I guess we will see. Doesn't it seem to resemble a bad version of the Communitea Cafe in Canmore's logo though? http://www.thecommunitea.com I guess the in the concept too... of live music and art.

However this does not seem as bad as the new Gratitude Cafe in Kensington... but after reading that thread http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/624909 it is BRUTAL that they totally ripped off another restaurant in SanFran. I have no desire to support this place.

Whatever happened to original ideas?!? C'mon, I think these places can do better!

I am looking forward to the new Deville though and the prospect of parking and being able to go... ArtCentral is way too hard to access. Those guys design some seriously slick spaces & I love the coffee too.

I look forward to hearing more feedback from the ever changing Calgary food scene.

According to a sign on their window, Phil is still cooking, so I think this is really just a rebranding. Maybe- just tossing this out- there were too many who thought this was a sushi or otherwise a Japanese place? I know I did when they first opened- but I loved the "koi" branding, pretty and memorable.

I always loved the food at Koi. The shanghai noodles were good, and I loved their chili maple sauce. They use nice wilted greens instead of cheap mixed vegetables. The miso salmon was a nice appetizer, but it looks like it's gone from the new meu.

Those old tree stump seats were a pain, but after they were gone my only complaint was that it was small and usually very busy. The new "creativity/community" thing is pretentious, but it seems to be something they came up with during their brief switch to Convergence Cafe.

Went to Koi for what may become an annual tradition; nobody but me had been before and everyone really liked it. I had the Buddha Burger and it was really good. The patty was made from black beans (and other stuff, obviously) and it was served on nice pita bread that was covered with herbed cream cheese, roasted vegetables (lots of beets and onions, some peppers too) and possibly some sunflower sprouts. Yam wedges on the side with a great yellow curry dipping sauce.